Ivan Stambolic

Ivan Stambolic (5 November 1936-25 August 2000) was President of Serbia from 5 May 1986 to 14 December 1987, succeeding Dusan Ckrebic and preceding Petar Gracanin.

Biography
Ivan Stambolic was born in Brezova, Yugoslavia in 1936, and he graduated from the University of Belgrade's Law School, where he met Slobodan Milosevic. As Stambolic rose in the ranks of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia, he helped Milosevic as well, serving as his mentor. He also supported Milosevic as head of the League of Communists of Serbia, securing him a tight victory. Stambolic pressed for constitutional reforms, but he condemned Serbian nationalism. From 1986 to 1987, he served as President of Serbia, and he later came to rival Milosevic. When Milosevic had Stambolic's other pupil, the Belgrade Party Committee head Dragisa Pavlovic deposed, an embarrassed Stambolic was forced to resign under pressure from Milosevic's supporters. On 25 August 2000, he was murdered on Fruska Gora by eight special forces officers on the order of Milosevic.